University of Georgia Athletics
Former Bulldog All-American Jeff Keppinger Promoted to Cincinnati
May 11, 2007 | Baseball
A shortstop in college, the 6-0, 180-pound Keppinger, has started at every infield position and in left field during his professional career. He ended the 2006 campaign in the majors with the Kansas City Royals and then was traded to the Reds in the off-season. He missed a chance to make the Major League club during Spring Training when he was hit by a pitch during a game that broke his right ring finger. He has played 55 games in the majors in his career, batting .278-5-23.
A former fourth round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001, he made his major league debut with the New York Mets in 2004. A knee injury cut short Keppinger's 2005 season in June when he was challenging for the International League batting title with Norfolk. During his three-year Georgia career, Keppinger was a two-time All-American and led the Bulldogs to the 2001 Southeastern Conference championship and an appearance at the College World Series. He finished his Bulldog career with a .380 batting average.
